It’s not just the click of the shutter when it comes to sports photography. It’s capturing the spirit of athletic competition within the moment. The focused gaze of an athlete committed to their goal or the jubilant eruption of a victorious crowd. Sports photography captures both the highs and lows of peak human performance. One shot is enough to speak to millions of people invested in the global phenomenon of sport, living, struggling to get by, and then overcoming to get the victory.
Why is sports photography important? Because it is more than just what’s going on in the field; it’s the emotion, the anticipation, the agony of defeat, and the joy of victory. While all of this can occur in mere seconds as part of a split sequence, and fade away quickly, behind the camera, a moment can live forever. One photograph can validate emotions, spark debates, and unite people from all walks of life. From the hometown high school championship game to the world final being broadcast worldwide, sports photography relates the action on the field with the world outside of sports. Beyond personal significance, sports photography holds a crucial place in our shared cultural narrative. Millions of images from sports and other topics are constantly being contextualized: that was a photo of perseverance, that was a photo of hope, that was a photo of change. They document the evolution of our jerseys and gear and the dismantling of gender and racial boundaries. Therefore, sports photographers do much more than capture the championship game and the score; they capture the story of existence trying to define its existence.
This guide to sports photography, brought to you by the Viking Sports Magazine brings not only the essential fundamentals necessary to start your photography journey; but also insight from professional photographers who are going to help you learn the tips and tricks used by the best of the best.
For any aspiring photographer, the first step in their journey is to learn about their camera. A photographer needs to understand the capabilities of the camera they have on hand. There are so many different variables necessary to understand about your camera for when it is time to take photos. “Is my lens suitable for this range?” or “Is my shutter fast enough to freeze the moment?” Understanding these details are crucial for capturing the perfect shot.
For all sports, a fast shutter speed is a necessity for capturing the brief intervals of each play. A speed of at least 1/500 of a second is recommended for shooting high speed action, the faster the better.
Furthermore, without knowing how sensitive your camera is to light, all of your photos will be either pitch black or bright white, cameras use the measure of ISO to control this variable. Although most cameras have an automatic feature to control ISO, sometimes manual input is the best. When shooting a game or a match during a sunny day, shooting at a lower ISO is key. When shooting during a night game or in a dark setting, the higher the ISO the better. Despite this rule of thumb, the light sensitivity through the lens is directly correlated to how fast your shutter is moving. Therefore, the faster your shutter speed, the higher your ISO should be.
Another important setting when taking photos for sports is aperture. Aperture controls how wide the lens of your camera opens. This influences the lighting of the shot as well as the depth of field. The aperture of your camera works exactly like how you control the width of your eyes. When you squint, it is the equivalent of a camera using a high aperture; similarly, when your eyes are wide open, it’s the same as a low aperture on a camera. Therefore, a higher aperture gives more light, and allows for greater focus and sharpness on the subject of a photo. Whereas a lower aperture gives more light and a bigger depth of field.
These three settings are the foundation of photography, often referred to as the exposure triangle. Mastering how to apply and combine these tools together is essential for any aspiring sports photographer.
Having a feel for the sport you are shooting is just as important as knowing your camera. Knowing where and when to be in the best location to get the best shot is a very valuable skill when taking photos of sports. For example, being aware of who is on offense or defense during a football game, or how much time is left in a soccer match, can be the difference between the perfect up-close shot and missing the moment. Before you go to take photos of a game, familiarizing yourself with the rules and flow, will make taking good photos significantly easier.
Understanding the rhythm and strategy of the sport allows photographers to anticipate key moments before they happen. This anticipation is what separates good sports photographers from great ones. For example, in basketball, knowing that a fast break often leads to an exciting play can guide a photographer to position themselves for the best angle. Similarly, in volleyball, predicting when a player will go for a powerful serve or where the team will move the play can result in amazing shots that embody the intensity of the match. Each sport has its own special rhythm, by being able to predict what happens next, photographers can be able to capture the action at its best.
Ultimately, the combination of technical skills and an acquired feel for the game will lead you to be able to take stunning, meaningful photographs that capture the action and tell stories that can resonate far beyond the sidelines.